PFTA: Watcher in the Brush

On a beautiful fall day in 2014, it seemed like a good idea (at the time) to go into the mountains to chase elk.  It was a beautiful day, and the weather was perfect for such an activity.  Up on the Kolob Terrace section of Zion National Park, it was easy to go off into the wilderness to go look for elk.  Something to remember, this is the fall, and during the fall is rutting season for the elk.   Coming into a clearing with beautiful vistas of lower Zion and the plateaus in Arizona off in the distance, I decided to stand on this boulder to look over the scrub oak and photograph this view.

If you look closer, there is a watcher in the brush.  He was looking at me very intently and I was starting to get a bit nervous, because he’s only about 30 feet away and the only thing between us is the brush.  I spoke to him and told him I was only taking his photograph, and he settled down.  I got a little higher up on the boulder and realized he had a lady friend there on the ground and I was interrupting him.  Oops…

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April 13, 2020April 13, 2020 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: hiking, landscape, nature, Photography, solitude, wilderness, WildlifeTags: Arizona, elk, hiking, Kolob Terrace, nature, peace, photography, scrub oak, solitude, Utah, vista, Zion Canyon, Zion National park Leave a comment

PFTA: Not Social Distancing

Every once in a while I get a hankering to hike in the deserts of Southern Utah.  This image comes from one such adventure in 2014.  I was taking macro shots of this yellow desert flower when I had a couple of unexpected visitors.  I guess they didn’t mind each other’s company, and I enjoyed the moments of (not so) close interaction.  These two are not social distancing, but I’m glad I kept my distance.

Enjoy

April 8, 2020 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: flowers, insects, landscape, nature, Photography, solitude, WildlifeTags: bees, desert southwest, insect, macro, solitude, southern utah, wild flower, yellow Leave a comment

PFTA: Squirreled Away

Back in 2005 when i was working at the Grand Canyon South Rim,  I would walk to and from work when the weather was good.  Sometimes I would run into some wildlife.  While walking home one afternoon, I came across an Abert Squirrel.  They are distantly related to the famed Kaibab Squirrel on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  At one time they were the same species; however, being separated by the Grand Canyon for thousands of years, they have evolved into unique species.  This little guy was playful and didn’t mind posing for his cameo.

Enjoy,

Kelly

March 29, 2020 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: hiking, nature, Photography, WildlifeTags: Abert Squirrel, Arizona, Colorado Plateau, grand canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Kaibab Squirrel, nature, solitude, squirrel, Wildlife 1 Comment

Fun at 50! (mm that is)

First, let me apologize for my absence.  Work seems to be getting in the way of my photography lately, and I need to get out more.

This past weekend I said enough is enough, and I’m going shooting!  I grabbed my camera and decided to use my 50mm prime lens (which I haven’t used for some time), hopped on the shuttle and went up to the Temple of Sinawava.  It was close to sunset, so light was fading fast and I needed to hurry. East Mesa

I went to look into the Virgin River to capture a rapid or two.

 

Right after sunset, I captured the dramatic sense of how deep Zion Canyon really is.

Heading back to the shuttle, I happen to see a bumble bee buzzing around, so I tried my hand at freestyle macro.  By the way, I’ve never seen a bumble bee look like this, anyone else?

After arriving back at the Lodge, I took this of the Mountain of the Sun.  

Enjoy,

Kelly

 

 

May 26, 2017 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: hiking, insects, landscape, nature, Photography, solitude, wilderness, WildlifeTags: Colorado Plateau, east mesa, Mountain of the Sun, nature, photography, temple of Sinawava, Utah, Virgin River, Zion Canyon, Zion Lodge, Zion National park 2 Comments

Finally Friday: Abert Squirrel

I found this little guy at the Grand Canyon South Rim when I worked there a few years ago.  I would often walk to work and walk home through the forests.  I saw this cutie scampering around the trail for several days, and I was able to get some closeups of him, which I hear, were pretty rare.  These squirrels are related to the famous Kaibab Squirrel, and from what I was told, they were the same species before the Canyon split.  After centuries of separation, they have evolved into two seperate species.  Anyway, here’s Mr. Abert Squirrel, Esq.

Enjoy,

Kelly

November 19, 2016 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: hiking, nature, Photography, solitude, WildlifeTags: Abert Squirrel, Arizona, Colorado Plateau, grand canyon, Wildlife Leave a comment

Kolob Colors Revisited

I promised more images from my Kolob Terrace trip.  Sorry it took so long getting these out there.  

I love the juxtaposition of the light yellows and greens against the dark green.

Perfect spot for relaxing and enjoying the sound of the ripples on the shore.

Beautiful day for a flight (if you’re a Mallard duck).

Enjoy!

November 2, 2016 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: birds, hiking, landscape, nature, Photography, solitude, wilderness, WildlifeTags: fall colors, Kolob Reservoir, Kolob Terrace, Mallard Duck, nature, photography, Utah, Zion National park 1 Comment

For the Birds

A couple of days ago, I decided to have some fun with my 300mm lens and decided to go bird hunting to see what kind of birds I could capture on film.  To my surprise, I found this:

A Black-headed Grosbeak! I didn’t know these were in Zion National Park! I saw this hopping from tree to tree singing his little heart out and it was amazing to hear!

I also ran across the Western Tanager.

 Now there’s a sight to behold!  He is gorgeous!!

You know the old saying, “The early bird gets the worm.”  Well, this wasn’t early (it was late afternoon) and the bird still got the worm.  A robin enjoying his dinner.

Do you remember the old Anne Murray song “Snowbird”?  A line of it is:

“Little snowbird take your wings and fly away…”, well, this bird did.

And so will I.

Enjoy,

Kelly

 

May 12, 2016May 12, 2016 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: birds, nature, Photography, solitude, wilderness, WildlifeTags: birds, photography, Utah, Zion National park 4 Comments

White Pocket

A week ago, I wandered into the deserts of Arizona with my friend dawn2dawn to photograph White Pocket.  This is an area on the Arizona Strip that is difficult to get to and (sometimes) hard to find.  (We got lost a couple of times, and it’s very sandy and easy to get stuck).

Needless to say, we found it- Yeah!!!  I had never been there, so it was a new experience to see all the amazing formations that are there.  I could easily have spent a couple of days here.

Here’s a taste of what I found.

Oh, yes, mushrooms even grow in rocks…how interesting!!

This strata of sandstone is known to have dinosaur footprints and evidence of their existance.  I was asking outloud if there are any dinosaur footprints in this area, and I looked over and couldn’t believe my eyes!  I found not a dinosaur print, but a giant footprint of a sneaker!!  My foot is next to it for comparison (I wear a size 9).

I love these clouds!  

 

Just as we left, a jackrabbit ran in front of us.  Before he did, though, I was able to get a good look at him.  Somehow I think it’s the Easter Bunny out for a training run.

Happy Easter, everyone!  Enjoy your adventures and be safe!  It’s a desert out there!!!

Kelly

 

 

 

March 27, 2016 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: hiking, landscape, nature, Photography, solitude, wilderness, WildlifeTags: Arizona, clouds, Colorado Plateau, desert, dinosaur, Easter, Easter Bunny, footprints, giant, photography, sandstone, solitude, White Pocket 2 Comments

Gallery Updates

On the advice from a fellow blogger, I organized my galleries to be subject specific.  There is a new gallery for Bryce Canyon National Park (I realize I need to post more photos of this beautiful place), Grand Canyon National Park, and of course, my beloved Zion National Park.  I also posted galleries for flowers and birds, with a gallery for Ancient Art, Arizona, and Other Animals in the works.

Enjoy the images! Remember, they are all available for purchase.  Contact me for details.

October 30, 2015 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: astronomy, birds, flowers, hiking, landscape, nature, Photography, Snake River, snow, solitude, wilderness, Wildlife, winterTags: Arizona, Arts and Entertainment, astronomy, bee, birds, Black-and-white, Bryce canyon, butterfly, cactus, California Condor, camping, canyon, clouds, Colorado Plateau, Colorado river, desert, duck, eternity, Fall, flowers, grand canyon, hiking, Images, leaves Leave a comment

Walk This Way . . . . . Wait a Minute . . . . . .

. . . . . You’re not my ducklings!!!!!

(a little humor to brighten your day)

August 3, 2015 by Kelly Guymon Photography Categories: birds, nature, Photography, WildlifeTags: birds, crow, duck, duckling, humor Leave a comment